New greenhouse opening planned

After almost a year’s worth of planning and work, a new greenhouse will be opening its doors this weekend.

Creekside Greenhouse is hosting its grand opening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 6819 E. 400 North, Portland.  

Owner Carrie Muhlenkamp said the idea of the family opening a greenhouse on their farm was inspired by her son Ben.

“My husband, Earl, was helping the owners of Shwanda’s Greenhouse move their business to Kentucky and during that transition my son was taking a horticulture class at the high school and he started to really enjoy it,” Muhlenkamp said. “Like other high school kids at that time, he was undecided on what he wanted to do with his future, so we thought we would get a greenhouse and let him fiddle with it.”

One greenhouse quickly grew into three.

With the help of friends, the Muhlenkamp family decided to make a business out of a hobby they all came to love.

“The communities around us are big on locally owned businesses and locally grown produce and really big on supporting each other,” Muhlenkamp said. “So, we just, you know, decided why not? Let’s just try our hands at something new.”

Creekside Greenhouse offers an array of vegetables and annual and perennial flowers to purchase, as well as baskets, pots, containers and welcome signs, all in different sizes and colors. In addition, the new greenhouse will allow customers to bring their own containers from home and employees will be available to help paint, design and plant to prepare for the spring.

Eventually, Muhlenkamp said the business would like to offer customers a pre-order service, allowing them to call in and order produce and supplies.

The stress of the unknown with opening a new business is there, but having lived in Jay County for 21 years, Muhlenkamp said she is hopeful that “all the work, effort and time will be worth it in the end.”

“I am hoping for a positive response from the community and that this is something they are looking for,” she said. “We want to have that personal touch as a locally owned business. We want to cater to our community and their needs and wants.”